Team Associated B44.3 Build – Suspension

The Build – Part 4
Time to assemble the suspension and attach the gearboxes to the chassis.

Let’s start by pressing the locknut into the front bulkhead.

Now attach the front bulkhead to the chassis.

Find your gearboxes and grab the one with the shorter center CVA. Slide the CVA through the steering retainer post and nestle the gearbox into the front bulkhead. Secure with the 2 screws.

Slip the 2 front suspension arms into place and slide the hinge pin through the arms and bulkhead. Make sure you seat the hinge pin as far in as possible. Also note the direction of the front arms.

Press the hinge pin brace into place and secure the hinge pins with the 2-56 screws.

Assemble the front shock tower, using a dab of threadlocker to keep the V2 bushings in place. The tower is not directional so it doesn’t matter which way you build it.

Attach the front shock tower to the chassis, making sure the shock mounts are facing in.

Flip the B44.3 over and attach the front bumper.

Press the locknut into the rear bulkhead.

Press 2 more locknuts into the rear arm mount. Attach the rear bulkhead to the chassis followed by the rear arm mount. Don’t forget to insert the w #4 washers.

Press another locknut into the back of the bulkhead and attach the rear bumper.

Grab your remaining gearbox and mount it to the chassis.

Test fit the rear hinge pin. You will see that it doesn’t line up with the hole in the inner arm mount due to the toe angle. You’ll see you need to flex the hinge pin inward to make it fit. Remove the pin, slip the suspension arms into place and slide the hinge pin in. Now flex the arm/pin assembly in to key it to the front arm mount. It might take a few tries (it also seemed easier without the rear bumper on) to get it into place. Just make sure the hinge pins are all the way in.

Capture the hinge pins with the 2-56 screws. If you removed the bumper, you can re-install it now.

Part 5 – Assembling the center bulkhead.